Yamamasa Koyamaen Ogurayama 30g

Matcha Ogurayama – Elevate Your Everyday Matcha Moment

A Dreamy Usucha Experience

Looking for a matcha that’s both gentle and flavorful? Matcha Ogurayama is here to bring everyday excellence into your tea ritual. This premium usucha (thin tea) matcha from Kyoto, Japan is the perfect balance of creamy sweetness, delicate smoothness, and a mild, full-bodied richness.

Whether you’re a seasoned tea enthusiast or just starting your matcha journey, Ogurayama offers a joyful, engaging experience that’s easy to love from the very first sip.

What Does Yamamasa Koyamaen Ogurayama Matcha Taste Like?

Yamamasa Koyamaen describes Ogurayama as one of its representative matchas, known for its rich aroma and suitability for usucha.

But what does that actually mean when you’re drinking it?

Ogurayama is all about balance. Rather than having bitterness take over the entire experience, the focus is on its gentle sweetness, smooth mouthfeel and full-bodied character.

You can expect a few characteristics:

• Creamy sweetness: A gentle sweetness that doesn’t need added sugar.
• Rich aroma: One of the qualities highlighted by Yamamasa Koyamaen.
• Smooth mouthfeel: A rounded texture that makes it enjoyable with water.
• Mild bitterness: Some bitterness can be present, but it shouldn’t be the main attraction.
• Full-bodied richness: Enough depth to make each sip satisfying.

Of course, everyone tastes matcha a little differently.

Water temperature, the amount of matcha you use and even how much water you add can change what you notice.

And if someone describes a particular flavour that you can’t detect, don’t worry. You haven’t failed some secret matcha tasting exam.

Is Ogurayama Good for Usucha?

Yes. Ogurayama is particularly suited to usucha, which is the traditional thin preparation of matcha using powdered tea and water.

In fact, Yamamasa Koyamaen identifies Ogurayama as one of its representative matchas widely used for usucha.

This is where you can appreciate the tea without milk or sweetener changing its character.

If you’re used to matcha lattes and want to explore drinking matcha with just water, Ogurayama is worth considering.

How to Prepare Yamamasa Koyamaen Ogurayama

You don’t need to make things complicated.

For a simple bowl of usucha, start with:

• Matcha: 2g Ogurayama
• Water: 60 to 70ml
• Temperature: Around 75 to 80°C

Preparation:

1. Sift 2g of Ogurayama into your matcha bowl.
2. Add 60 to 70ml of hot water.
3. Whisk briskly with a bamboo chasen using a zigzag motion.
4. Continue until a fine layer of foam forms.
5. Enjoy while fresh.

If it’s too strong, add a little more water. If it’s too weak, use slightly less.

There’s no need to chase a perfect-looking bowl every time. Taste matters more than how photogenic your foam is.

Can You Make a Matcha Latte With Ogurayama?

Absolutely.

Although Ogurayama is especially suited to usucha, you can enjoy it with milk too.

Just remember that milk can mask some of the more delicate flavours that make this matcha interesting.

If you want to try it as a latte, I’d suggest starting with:

• 3g Ogurayama matcha
• 30ml water
• 80 to 100ml milk

Keeping the milk quantity relatively low gives the matcha more room to stand out.

That said, I’d recommend trying Ogurayama with water first. It’s a good way to understand what you’re paying for before introducing milk.

Ogurayama vs Samidori vs Matsukaze: Which Yamamasa Koyamaen Matcha Should You Choose?

If you’ve been looking at Yamamasa Koyamaen’s matcha range, you’ve probably come across Matsukaze and Samidori too.

So what’s the difference?

Matcha	What makes it interesting	Best suited for
Matsukaze	A more affordable matcha with a direct, noticeable character	Everyday matcha and lattes
Samidori	A middle option in Yamamasa Koyamaen’s range	Usucha and smaller lattes
Ogurayama	A representative Yamamasa Koyamaen matcha known for its rich aroma	Usucha and traditional preparation

If you’re mainly making matcha lattes, Matsukaze is a sensible place to start.

If you want something for both milk and water, Samidori is worth exploring.

But if you’re specifically looking for a Yamamasa Koyamaen matcha to enjoy as usucha, Ogurayama would be my pick of these three.

Not because more expensive always means better, but because it’s particularly well suited to that style of drinking.

Explore the other matchas in the range:

• Yamamasa Koyamaen Samidori
• Yamamasa Koyamaen Matsukaze

The Meaning Behind Ogurayama (小倉山)

Named after Mount Ogura in Saga, Kyoto, a place of poetic inspiration and cultural significance, this matcha embodies the elegance and timeless artistry of Japanese tradition. Fujiwara no Sadaie, the legendary poet, compiled the famous “Hyakunin Isshu” (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each) at his lodge on this mountain, making Ogurayama a name synonymous with refined beauty and tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ogurayama Matcha

Is Yamamasa Koyamaen Ogurayama good for beginners?

Yes. Yamamasa Koyamaen includes Ogurayama among its recommendations for people trying its matcha for the first time.

If you’re interested in drinking matcha with water rather than milk, it’s a good option to explore.

Is Ogurayama better than Samidori?

That depends on what you’re looking for.

Ogurayama sits higher in Yamamasa Koyamaen’s range and is particularly suited to usucha. Samidori is a more affordable option if you want to enjoy matcha both with water and milk.

Neither is automatically the better choice for everyone.

Is Ogurayama suitable for koicha?

Ogurayama is primarily associated with usucha. If you’re specifically interested in koicha, Yamamasa Koyamaen offers higher-end matchas worth considering for thick tea preparation.

Where can I buy Yamamasa Koyamaen Ogurayama in Australia?

You can buy Yamamasa Koyamaen Ogurayama Matcha 30g from UJIHA, an Australian-based Japanese matcha retailer.

Orders are shipped from Australia, so you can purchase Japanese matcha without arranging an individual shipment from Japan.